Imagination of a child.

One of the reasons I love Sylvanians so much is that they spark the imagination. As a young child a spent hours playing & making up stories for my Sylvanians. 

And now my own children are doing the same. Just today I walked in to find this:  

I especially love the babies. 

Makes me want to go to the beach!! 

A long awaited reunion

The Evergreen family were extremely excited, today was the day that Ashley & Preston were coming home! 

When the Evergreens had first moved to Slydale Hollow the two younger siblings had been unable to come with them, & had been living with relatives until now. 

Mother Honeysuckle couldn't wait. 

She just had to cuddle them!! 

Once the rest of the family caught up there were cuddles all around. 

The whole family together again!

This story has been waiting more than 20 years. I was given 2 grey bears for my birthday in 1992 & since then I have been wanting to complete the family. Of all my vintage (TOMY) Sylvanians, this only the second family that is fully complete. 

Thank you so much to Haley S. who made this reunion possible. 

The new arrivals

Today there are some new residents in Slydale Hollow today. 

"darling where are we?"

"I don't know"

"Look, there are two small bears over there. Let's ask them." 

"You are in Slydale Hollow"

Welcome to the Champagne family 

Pinot (father), Chardonnay (mother), Arbane (brother), & Rosé (sister)

*Not Original names, I've renamed these to suit their "nickname" (The Champagne rabbits).

Friends, Family & a new Future (a Slydale Hollow origins story)

Slick, Velvet & their 2 children were on holiday again. Ever since they found the beautiful Hollow with its peace atmosphere & perfect camping areas they went back every chance they got. Slick joked that they would live there permanently if they could, to which Velvet always replied "I know you love the peace & quiet, but you & I both know we would go mad without our friends!"

Slick had to agree with her, which is one reason he invited Rocky Babblebrook to join them this time. Rocky & his dad Cliff have been going camping every year since Rocky was small, & this year was the first time they were bringing Bubba, Rocky's son. When Slick had told Rocky of the Hollow & how often the Slydales visited it he was very keen to come see it & having another boy to play with would mean that Buster & Bubba would be less likely to be bored & make trouble (he hoped). 

Well today was the day the Babblebrooks were due to arrive, he hoped they weren't too far away. The kids were so excited Slick had to send them out of the gypsy van early, right now they were playing with Brambles (the pony), but who knows how long that would last. 

Then he could hear the sound of an engine & a green sedan made its way toward them. 

It was the Babblebrooks!

While Slick & Rocky set up the tent, (the boys were "helping" too)

 Cliff & Velvet started setting up the table & BBQ

Then it was dinner time, Rocky offered to cook for everyone. At home he does get much of a chance, as his wife Crystal loves to cook & is excellent at it! Crystal had to ban the rest of the family from cooking in her kitchen after Pearl (Rocky's mother) nearly burned the house down while trying to cook toast! 

While they waited for dinner to finish cooking, Rocky remarked on just how beautiful the area was. He & Crystal just found out they were going to be parents again (with their 3rd child) & were looking at moving house to have more room. 

"Crystal would love it here, we've been talking about starting up a market garden, growing & selling vegetables. But there's no room to do that where we live now. But here I can just picture is building a home & garden, right on that hill over there!"

The Slydales & Babblebrooks camped together for a few days & all too soon Rocky, Cliff & Buba had to head home. (The Slydales were still staying for another week, or 2 if Velvet had her way). 

They said "good bye" & Rocky promised that next time Crystal would come with him. 

The next week was relaxing & quiet. The day that Slick & Velvet were getting ready to leave a familiar green sedan drive up to their campsite. 

It was Rocky & Crystal, with another man they didn't recognise. Velvet greeted Crystal with a big hug, they were good friends from the same mothers group in the city

While the women went to get a cup of tea, Rocky introduced Slick to the stranger "this is Wade Waters, one of the best builders in Sylvania!"

"Greetings Wade" said Slick & shook hands. 

"Greetings to you too" replied Wade, 

When Rocky & Crystal told me they were thinking of building a house & market garden this far away from towns or cities I thought they were mad! But now I've seen the place I totally understand!"

"What!" Said Slick, "build a house, here on our campsite!?" 

"Not here exactly, over on the hill I pointed to last time" replied Rocky

"Wade is here to see if it's a possibility before I look into planning permission."

"Well here's the interesting thing" said Wade, "As this area isn't populated it doesn't officially have a council to give planning permission, you would have to look into laying a claim & paying a government fee."

Wade then pointed out how far the "unclaimed" went. 

Several hills in that direction

Twice as far that way... 

"Another good thing is when we build we won't have to upset the natural lay of the land either, there are plenty of good places to build."

"What do you think Slick, want to be neighbours?" Said Rocky

And with that the women all rushed over (having heard the good news) & they all hugged & made plans for their future. 

A little DIY for the grandparents in Slydale Hollow.

Some of the grandparents in Slydale Hollow have been without their glasses for a while now. The Evergreen Sr have been sharing a pair, but the Babblebrook Sr & poor Flora Wildwood didn't have any at all. 

Then I read on a friend's blog about how she made some glasses for her critters. 

http://ladylollipopsylvanians.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/of-grandparents-and-glasses.html?m=1

So here is how ours turned out. 

Flora's new spectacles 

Primrose has a pair of her own now

Cliff preferred the black rims. 

All are reasonably pleased with their glasses, but are finding the wire gauge used (21) a little too big, & think that if more are needed we should use a smaller gauge (23-26). 

Well we live & learn. 

Bears, bears, bears!

Over this past year there have been quite a few additions to Slydale Hollow, and some that I am extremely excited about are the new bear families! 

The Evergreens have grown from just the 2 of them to only missing the younger siblings! 

The Timbertops have moved into the Regency Manor, (and one day maybe Taylor's parents will join them, I can get a hold of them!) 

Just recently the Murdoch bears arrived. 

Dr. Murdoch met Forrest Evergreen at medical school & since retiring has been looking for a quite place for himself & Mrs Murdoch to live. After holidaying at the Evergreens, the Murdochs decided Slydale Hollow was perfect! When they told their grown son & his new wife (May Blossom-Murdoch) their plans Dr. Murdoch Jr surprised them by announcing that he had been hired as the new village physician! 

The newest additions to the town however are the Huntingtons. 

Mrs. Huntington is Mrs. Murdoch's younger sister. The Huntingtons just want a simple peaceful life for their 3 young children, & where better than a quiet village surrounded by family?

Here's to many "teddy bear picnics" 

 Many thanks to Cheri for the Evergreen baby boy & the Huntingtons. 

And to Barb for the Timbertops. 

Merry Sylvanian Christmas!

Well we here at Slydale Hollow were totally spoiled this Christmas! Not only did several new families join us we now have a Grand Hotel building too. So we decided to do a "Street Scape" with the 2 hotel/manor buildings together. 

I think they look fantastic! 

I've decided the Regency will house my (new-to-me) Timbertop family. 

The Grand was a present for my children, so that any of their Sylvanians without a home will have somewhere to stay, no homelessness in Slydale Hollow! 

We hope you all have had a Merry Christmas, and a Happy & Safe New Year.